THE Department of Transport has announced proposals to raise the driving age to 18 in a bid to cut the number of deaths on the road.

Under the scheme, young drivers could also have to wait until they are 19 until they are given a full licence. 

The plans would also see new motorists face a lower drink-drive limit for a year, regardless of their age.

A report released yesterday, by the Transport Research Laboratory, called for the introduction of so-called Graduated Driver Licensing, a system which is already used in countries such as Canada.

As part of it, new drivers would have to pass a series of landmarks after their driving test before being considered to be competent enough to drive without restrictions.

It is hoped this could cut the number of people killed and injured on Britain’s roads by nearly 4,500 each year. 

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